In terms of motorcycle tours it has been quiet for a while on the blog. That was – also – due to Corona, but not only. In September last year I had a fall on two wheels, but without a motor, and damaged my shoulder in the process. Riding a motorcycle was out of the question for a long time.
But when we saw the advertisement for a tour to the Erzgebirge, to the Fichtelberg, in the middle of July, Katja and I were thrilled. It should be a premiere – the first ride together with a demonstrator from Gärtners.
Actually I was of the opinion to have had roughly all models already once under the butt. But the team of the motorcycle dealer apparently keeps accurate records – the Tracer 9 GT, especially as 2021 model, was not there yet.
So we booked the day tour on 31.07., but with a modification: we rode only in addition with the Tross, but stayed another night in the mountains. Was not the best idea, but more about that later.
Since 12 o'clock meeting was, we drove with the car in time direction Dohna. The changing, registering, chatting one does not want to do in a hectic rush. The line of rental bikes was ready and in the middle of it the red Tracer 9. Fix still suitcases mounted, these loaded and after I had finally understood how it goes, these also closed.
After the briefing and the obligatory group photo by Gärtner Junior, we set off shortly before half past midnight.
Southwards out of Dohna it went immediately steep and curvy direction Sürßen, Maxen and then via Reinhardsgrimma to Schmiedeberg. Away from the big and better known routes it could be endured. Few other vehicles were on the way. With 11 vehicles on 23 wheels (1 Niken) we made good progress.
The clear routes and the usual rather relaxed pace allowed time to take a closer look at the machine. And I admit, I have a new favorite toy: the quickshifter. Once developed for the racetrack to tear through the gears as quickly as possible and without a clutch, the technology has arrived in the touring machines. With light load on the throttle only briefly pull up the foot. The next gear is already inside. Without throttle, when the machine pushes, the whole thing goes in the other direction. Practical, usually works very well and is addictive because it is easy and makes driving easier. Dung! Again something for the wish list.
We passed the destinations Hermsdorf, Holzhau and Rechenberg-Bienenmühle, which are popular among cyclists in the Erzgebirge, before we went to the first and only break of the outward journey.
In Neuhausen, not far from the Nutcracker Museum, we came to a stop and the 14 people got into conversation in small groups.
Unanimous opinion of the Tracer: A great and comfortable tourer, but too noisy for longer tours. I am honest: the sound of the CP3 three-cylinder did it to me, through the entire rev band great soundscape. But for relaxed touring the machines is good 5dB too loud. Sound or not, after 100km the volume is annoying. That this is a sport tourer may be the explanation – but less sports. More tour would be desirable for especially this model.
Mount up, let's go on, the table in the Fichtelberghaus is reserved for 4 p.M. The tour, which scenically sprayed the full range of low mountain range romanticism, leads us to Olbernhau and from there on the Erzgebirge ridge along the Czech border. High moor and blooming meadows, in addition best weather and nice company – what do you want more?? The better the roads were, the happier was also the chassis of the Tracer. Bad roads it can also, but if it has the choice goes fresh asphalt over everything. Patch roads likes the 220kg device (plus 150kg payload …) less and acknowledges hard shocks accordingly.
But as always, the team of Matthias Gärtner had chosen a route with a high percentage of passable road quality.
In the Preßnitztal we followed the path of the narrow-gauge railroad of the same name, which we met right at the beginning in Oberschaar. In Jöhstadt the route ends, which is a scenic destination. We drove further over Bärenstein and Cranzahl by the Sehmatal and met shortly behind Hammerunterwiesenthal the Fichtelbergbahn.
The destination, the Fichtelberg was already in sight, it could not take long and we were also super in time. Past Oberwiesenthal, up the serpentines and then the last climb, then we arrived on the 1215m high highest mountain in Saxony.
It was windy, but sausage, cake and coffee tasted good as well. The sun was shining, beside us there were 50-60 motorcyclists at the Fichtelberghaus. It was wonderful.
Around 5pm the other 10 bikes started their return journey towards Dohna, while we took a detour to Klínovec on the Czech side to climb up to 1244 meters of altitude before we went to our accommodation "Penzion U Stoly" in Jáchymov.
After a walk through the town with a delicious meal and good company so ended our trip and we were looking forward to a great return trip.
Unfortunately it came differently. The weather had a surprise for us. From 5 o'clock in the morning it rained continuously. Nevertheless, we set off at 9:30am, drove 2.5 hours throughout in the rain back to Dohna.
The different riding modes, the Quickshifter and the, despite all hardness, good-natured chassis of the Tracer 9 GT brought us home safely. The large, adjustable touring window did its best, but by the time we arrived, we were soaked to the bone.
Although we passed Annaberg-Buchholze, Wolkenstein and other beautiful places on the way, in this weather it was only to arrive safely.
After 330km in two days we put the bike back under the dealer's canopy. The leisurely way of driving has brought 12 liters, much less than 4 liters per 100km. The return trip could be written off nevertheless.
What remains? A nice tour on the 1.